6 Reasons to Switch to Chromebook (and Chrome OS)

Derrik Diener

2 years ago

Looking for a new laptop? You may want to consider Google’s Chromebook offerings. No, seriously. They’re not as bad as you’ve heard. In fact, they’ve slowly started to eat away at Windows laptops in competing markets.

The Chromebook centers around Chrome OS. It’s an operating system that is almost entirely Web-based. Despite its semi-negative perception to some consumers, the operating system actually has a lot going for it. Here are six reasons why you should consider switching over to a Chromebook running Google’s Chrome OS.

1. Does everything the average user needs and nothing else

I’d like to start this list off by addressing the main point of contention towards Chromebooks. Power users will complain that they can’t use Photoshop, CAD, or some other advanced boutique software bundle. Yeah, those aren’t going to work on Chromebooks. Fair point.

However, when is the last time you saw the average user do anything other than opening a web browser? The simple fact is that basic computer users mostly use web browsers, web applications and simple programs (like video players and music players). Chances are your mother isn’t going to wonder if her steam library or her vast array of boxed software will work on it. She’ll log into Chrome and get going.

This is what Chromebooks are designed for. Like it or not, the way people use computers is changing. Google’s Chrome devices are pretty much perfect for this use. It has everything an average user would need: a video player, a music player, office suite, a file manager and nearly everything else you’d expect a computer to come with.

2. Perfect for beginner users

Since Chrome OS is centered around the Web, it’s perfect for those who don’t know a lot about computers. There’s not a whole lot to mess up. What’s even more important is that there’s a whole lot less to mess up. You can’t really go to some rouge website on a Chromebook and download some “potentially unwanted programs.” That just doesn’t happen.

When you log in the web browser pops up and that’s it. Anyone can figure that out. There’s no overload of information happening. There’s not a million tiles to click on and sort through. Everything you’ll ever need and nothing that you don’t need is right there. Simplicity is key when you’re trying to learn the basics.

3. Steady updates

This isn’t really something exclusive to Chrome OS, but it’s a fair point nonetheless. Updates are important. Security breakages and flaws in software are all too common. Having updates to the operating system that you rely on day to day is important. Google does a solid job keeping the Chrome platform up to date.

4. Virus Free

Chrome OS is virus-free. Accidentally going to a website with a lot of deceptive programs will have no effect on you. There is no need to worry about the constant barrage of viruses and malware exploits that are found on Windows and Mac.

Obviously, no operating system is 100% safe, that much is clear. Some viruses and malware exist solely on websites and don’t require downloading at all. Still, you have a far greater chance of avoiding these types of things on a Chromebook than on a Windows PC.

5. Affordable price

If there’s one thing that Chromebooks have going for them, it’s the fact that they’re so inexpensive. Google subsidizes the prices of Chromebooks, effectively making it possible to sell a laptop for $199 dollars that should be priced at $250 dollars, etc. Considering most other computers are much more expensive, this is a plus.

6. Superior Battery Life

Google engineered Chrome OS to be incredibly light and portable. Since there’s a heavy focus on lightness, most Chrome devices have an incredible battery life. There’s a good chance that your Chrome device will be able to function with at least seven hours of battery life. That’s impressive knowing that most Chromebooks are only a couple hundred dollars. Most Windows PCs have about the same or less battery life and cost a lot more.

Conclusion

Every year the numbers come out, and they show that more and more people are buying Chromebooks. It seems as though consumers are starting to see that the upside of these devices far outweighs the downside. Nobody knows how much damage Google’s computers will do to the market for sure, but suffice it to say things can only go up from here.